Galveston County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Galveston County
Arrest records in Galveston County are considered public information pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). Members of the public may access these records with certain limitations established by state law. The Texas Public Information Act establishes that government records are presumed to be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.
Key points regarding the public nature of arrest records in Galveston County include:
- Records are maintained by various law enforcement agencies including the Galveston County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Galveston Police Department
- Certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information
- Records related to arrests that resulted in deferred adjudication or expungement may have restricted access
- Information about arrests that did not lead to conviction may still appear in public records unless specifically sealed by court order
The Galveston County Sheriff's Office maintains the primary repository of arrest records for the county jurisdiction:
Galveston County Sheriff's Office 601 54th Street Galveston, TX 77551 Phone: (409) 766-2300 Galveston County Sheriff's Office
What's in Galveston County Arrest Records
Galveston County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §60.051. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest. The information contained in these records is comprehensive and follows protocols established by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Standard information found in Galveston County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
- Date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Criminal charges filed, including Texas Penal Code references
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint information
- Case disposition information (if available)
- Bail or bond information
- Court docket numbers for associated cases
As of 2002, agencies within Galveston County began submitting their Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) arrest data electronically, as documented in the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service Newsletter. This electronic submission has improved record accuracy and accessibility.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Galveston County in 2025
Individuals seeking arrest records in Galveston County in 2025 may utilize several established methods to obtain this information. The county has implemented updated procedures to facilitate public access while maintaining compliance with Texas Government Code §552.023.
The primary methods for looking up arrest records include:
- In-person requests at the Galveston County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Online searches through the county's public records portal
- Written requests submitted via mail or email
- Third-party background check services authorized to access Texas criminal history information
For in-person requests, individuals should visit:
Galveston County Sheriff's Office Records Division 601 54th Street Galveston, TX 77551 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (409) 766-2300
Required information for record searches includes:
- Full name of the individual (including any known aliases)
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Approximate date of arrest (if known)
- Valid government-issued photo identification of the requestor
- Completed request form (available at the Records Division or downloadable from the county website)
- Payment of applicable fees as established by Galveston County Commissioners Court
How To Find Galveston County Arrest Records Online
Galveston County provides digital access to arrest records through several online platforms in accordance with Texas Government Code §552.221(b), which permits governmental bodies to provide reasonable electronic access to public information. These online resources have been developed to enhance public access while maintaining necessary security protocols.
The following online resources are available for accessing Galveston County arrest records:
- Galveston County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search Portal - Provides current booking information and status of individuals currently in custody
- Galveston County District Clerk's Office Online Records Search - Contains court records related to criminal cases, including arrest information
- Galveston County Justice of the Peace Courts Public Access System - Offers information on Class C misdemeanor arrests and citations
To access the Galveston County District Clerk's records:
Galveston County District Clerk's Office 600 59th Street, Suite 4001 Galveston, TX 77551 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (409) 766-2424 Galveston County District Clerk
Users should note that online systems may require registration and may assess nominal fees for document retrieval. Additionally, certain records may be available only in redacted form to comply with privacy laws and court orders.
Can You Search Galveston County Arrest Records for Free?
Galveston County provides limited free access to arrest records in compliance with Texas Government Code §552.261, which permits governmental bodies to waive or reduce charges for public information under certain circumstances. However, comprehensive searches may incur fees as authorized by the same statute.
Free access options include:
- Basic inmate searches on the Galveston County Sheriff's Office website
- Limited case information through the Galveston County District Clerk's public access terminal (available on-site)
- Public terminals at the Galveston County Law Library
Galveston County Law Library 600 59th Street, 1st Floor Galveston, TX 77551 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (409) 766-2424
Fee-based services include:
- Certified copies of arrest records ($5.00 per page as of 2025)
- Comprehensive background checks ($25.00 per name search)
- Expedited record retrieval services ($10.00 additional fee)
All fees are established by the Galveston County Commissioners Court pursuant to Texas Local Government Code §118.011.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Galveston County
The process for deleting or restricting access to arrest records in Galveston County is governed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, which provides for expunction and non-disclosure orders under specific circumstances. Individuals must meet statutory requirements and follow established legal procedures.
Eligible situations for expunction may include:
- Arrests that did not lead to charges
- Cases resulting in acquittal
- Cases dismissed due to lack of probable cause
- Successful completion of certain diversion programs
- Pardoned offenses
The expunction process requires:
- Filing a Petition for Expunction with the Galveston County District Court
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $255 as of 2025)
- Attendance at a scheduled court hearing
- Obtaining a signed Order of Expunction from a district judge
- Distribution of the order to all agencies holding records
For legal assistance with expunctions, individuals may contact:
Galveston County District Attorney's Office 600 59th Street, Suite 1001 Galveston, TX 77551 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (409) 766-2355 Galveston County District Attorney
What Happens After Arrest in Galveston County?
Following an arrest in Galveston County, individuals are processed through a standardized system established under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 15. This process includes several key stages from initial custody through case disposition.
The standard post-arrest procedure includes:
- Transportation to the Galveston County Jail or municipal holding facility
- Booking procedures (fingerprinting, photographing, personal information collection)
- Initial appearance before a magistrate within 48 hours
- Setting of bail or bond conditions
- Assignment to the appropriate court based on offense level
- Appointment of counsel for indigent defendants
- Arraignment and preliminary hearings
- Case disposition through trial, plea agreement, or dismissal
The Galveston County Jail processes arrestees at:
Galveston County Jail 5700 Avenue H Galveston, TX 77551 Phone: (409) 763-7500 Galveston County Sheriff's Office
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Galveston County?
Arrest records in Galveston County are maintained according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's retention schedule for local law enforcement agencies (Schedule PS-4). These retention periods ensure proper documentation while complying with state regulations.
Standard retention periods include:
- Arrest reports and booking information: 75 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor case files: 2 years after case closure
- Felony case files: 25 years after case closure for non-capital offenses
- Capital felony case files: 75 years after case closure
- Juvenile arrest records: Until individual's 21st birthday, unless certified as an adult
Records may be maintained in electronic format pursuant to Texas Government Code §441.189, which establishes standards for electronic record keeping by governmental bodies. The electronic submission system implemented in Galveston County facilitates long-term record preservation.
How to Find Mugshots in Galveston County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are considered public records in Galveston County under Texas Government Code §552.108, with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations and juvenile cases. These photographs are taken during the booking process and maintained as part of the official arrest record.
Methods for obtaining mugshots include:
- Submitting a public information request to the arresting agency
- Searching the Galveston County Sheriff's Office online inmate database for current inmates
- Requesting copies from the Galveston County District Clerk for cases that have been filed with the courts
- Reviewing historical records at the Galveston County Archives for older cases
For mugshot requests, contact:
Galveston County Sheriff's Office Records Division 601 54th Street Galveston, TX 77551 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (409) 766-2300 Galveston County Sheriff's Office